The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Crate \Crate\ (kr[=a]t), n. [L. cratis hurdle; perh. akin to E.
   cradle. See Hurdle, and cf. Crate a framework.]
   1. A large basket or hamper of wickerwork, used for the
      transportation of china, crockery, and similar wares.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A box or case whose sides are of wooden slats with
      interspaces, -- used especially for transporting fruit.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

crate \crate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Crated; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Crating.]
   To pack in a crate or case for transportation; as, to crate a
   sewing machine; to crate peaches.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

crate
    n 1: a rugged box (usually made of wood); used for shipping
    2: the quantity contained in a crate [syn: crate, crateful]
    v 1: put into a crate; as for protection; "crate the paintings
         before shipping them to the museum" [ant: uncrate]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

128 Moby Thesaurus words for "crate":
   archives, armory, arsenal, attic, auto, autocar, automobile, bag,
   bank, barrel, basement, basket, bay, bin, boat, bonded warehouse,
   bookcase, bottle, box, box up, buggy, bunker, burden, bus, buttery,
   can, capsule, car, cargo dock, carton, case, cask, cellar, chest,
   closet, conservatory, crib, cupboard, depository, depot, dock, dog,
   drawer, dump, embox, embrace, encapsulate, encase, encyst, enfold,
   enshroud, envelop, enwrap, exchequer, fill, freight, glory hole,
   godown, hamper, heap, heap up, hold, hutch, invest, jalopy, jar,
   lade, lap, library, load, locker, lumber room, lumberyard, machine,
   magasin, magazine, mass, motor, motor vehicle, motorcar,
   motorized vehicle, pack, pack away, package, parcel, pile, pocket,
   pot, rack, repertory, repository, reservoir, rick, sack, sheathe,
   shelf, ship, shroud, smother, stack, stack room, stock room,
   storage, store, storehouse, storeroom, stow, supply base,
   supply depot, surround, swaddle, swathe, tank, tin, treasure house,
   treasure room, treasury, tub, vat, vault, voiture, warehouse,
   wheels, wine cellar, wrap, wrap about, wrap up, wreck